Kukla's Korner Hockey

There’s one every year, or near enough. A goaltender nobody wanted, or believed in. A goaltender that’s too new, or too old. A goaltender who was once released, waived, cut, traded or simply perforated enough times to be considered as a guy who cannot be trusted.

Until, somehow, he is. And this year, that goaltender is Michael Leighton, owner of 112 career regular-season starts in the National Hockey League; veteran of the Norfolk Admirals, the Rochester Americans, the Portland Pirates, the Albany River Rats; and, oddly, player of just one full period for the 2006-07 Nashville Predators, four days before Christmas.

Oh, and a big reason the Philadelphia Flyers are three wins from the Stanley Cup final.

“I know it’s a big deal, and obviously I’m in a different situation now,” says Leighton, who is 3-0 in four playoff appearances, all wins, with a 1.11 goals-against and a .959 save percentage. “I’m getting a chance to play, and that’s what I want.”